DELGADO rumours, FRIDJONSSON returns, CHALMERS leaves & PUKKI’s price

CELTIC’s apparent interest in Chilean forward Juan Delgado is featured in the MSM today after being widely reported online yesterday evening. Reports from Chile appeared on the internet early evening and the Celtic support quickly checked out facts and figures relating to the Coco Coco forward who is apparently the subject of a £1M bid from the 4IAR champions.

Holmbert Fridjonsson time at Brondby has come to a end and the player is scheduled to return to Celtic for pre-season training. Brondby yesterday made it known that they would not be taking up their option to buy the youngster after his loan period with their spokesperson saying:

“Holmbert has performed really well for us, both in training and in matches, and he has great potential.”

“Realistically though, we believe that Holmbert will not receive enough playing time with us going forward, and we have therefore decided it is best for both parties not to activate the purchase option that lay in the loan.”

After spending 11 years at Celtic, Joe Chalmers yesterday signed for Motherwell. The 21-year-old left back has been hindered by injuries over the last couple of years. He had a short but successful loan spell at Falkirk last season where he made 11 appearances for Scottish Cup Finalists.

Motherwell earlier this week released 15 players after coming through the relegation play-offs against The Rangers, hammering the Ibrox side 6-1 on aggregate. Ian Baraclough capture of Joe Chalmers signals the start of the re-building process at Fir Park and we wish young Joe all the best.

Baraclough was certainly pleased with the signing, saying: “He’s a young player with fantastic potential who we’ve tracked for some time.

“He’s versatile, mobile with a good range of passing and will add competition in numerous positions in defence.”

“He’s got a good pedigree having come through the Academy and played for Celtic’s first team and had significant youth International experience. I am really looking forward to working with him over the next few years.”

Meanwhile Teemu Pukki’s agent has urged Celtic to lower the price tag to allow the striker to stay at Brondby. We reported last week that Brondby want the player but are not prepared to meet Celtic’s asking price, believed to be £1M.

Pukki has scored nine goals in his loan period at Brondby, with three in the last three games, and his agent says the out-of-favour hitman wants to stay in Copenhagen.

Celtic paid  Schalke £3.4m for the 25-year-old in 2013 so Celtic will have to incur a loss on the player.